Role of T-helper 17 cells and interleukin-17 expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Background Several observations suggest that immunological events are important for antileukemic immune reactivity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). T-helper type 17 (Th17) cells play an active role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases; however, the nature of Th17 cells in hematological malignancies remains unknown. Aim The aim of this work was to assess the role of Th17 cells and its related cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the pathogenesis and prognosis of AML. Participants and methods The study was carried out on 40 adult AML patients and 20 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Patients were diagnosed and classified according to the WHO criteria for AML. Plasma levels of IL-17 in patients and controls were measured using the sandwich ELISA technique. Th17 cells were assessed using flow cytometry. Results The percentage of Th17 cells and the concentration of IL-17 were significantly increased in untreated patients with AML compared with the healthy controls (10.2±2.2 vs. 4.38±0.16% and 20.15±2.9 vs. 8.2±1.3 pg/ml, respectively). In addition, the increased Th17 cells were reduced significantly when the patient achieved complete remission after chemotherapy, but the decrease was not significant in patients with incomplete remission. Conclusion These results suggest that Th17 cells play a role in the pathogenesis and response of therapy in AML patients through the secretion of IL-17 cytokine.